“I also run a B&B in Lecco” – Conca reveals new jobs behind Italian National Championships win

Something remarkable happened at the Italian National Championships this weekend: a rider without a professional contract beat the country’s biggest stars. Filippo Conca, once a WorldTour pro and now a club level racer, defied all expectations to take the tricolore jersey, completing one of the most improbable wins in recent Italian cycling history.

Conca, 26, had quietly slipped out of the WorldTour last year after four seasons riding for Lotto Soudal and Q36.5. “There were a lot of pros who found themselves out on a limb, only a very few got back into the sport,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Most of the guys like me are working now, but I also run a B&B in Lecco, I got my boating license to do boat tours, and I would like to open a bike rental shop.” Somehow, between side hustles and studies, he recently completed an Economics degree, Conca kept riding and dreaming.

His performance at the weekend was a masterclass in seizing an opportunity. While the major teams marked each other and failed to commit fully, Conca stayed clear. The result stunned not just fans, but the professional peloton itself.

“Teams have to work for their leaders, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Conca said. “But when you spend your time fighting fires in a race and having to fill in the gaps, you risk, being left high and dry.”

The result also left an impression on Filippo Ganna, Italy’s biggest name and the favourite going into the race. Ganna, who admitted to suffering from illness, didn’t hide his disappointment. “It’s a destabilising result for the Italian professional squads,” he said. “Cycling is going to lose a lot, because only the winner counts.”